It is a perfect summer day on Shell Beach. Not a cloud appears in the brilliantly blue sky, and a pleasant sea breeze keeps the sun-kissed ground comfortable
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It's strange to see his alternate up there at the end of the group on the dais, looking terribly afraid and awkward, but better in a suit than he would have imagined. They are physically quite different, but whatever the older Courtney has bought him is clearly well-made and tailored to look good on him. The younger Thorn is slightly less comfortable in his own suit, which is uncomfortably tight at the shoulders and just slightly short at the cuffs. Working the glassworks has had an unexpected effect on his physique, and he is also the same height as his alternate, now
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"No, but interesting." He smiles faintly, a weary smile, but a genuine one. She should not be surprised that he distrusts the ultra-modern technology. Surely her own uncle Aloysius would have felt the same.
"I'll... certainly do my best, yes." He wishes he could promise more, and he feels guilty even phrasing it that way. "You should invite Mr. Arkenstone, as well." He nods in the direction of the grey-suited, golden-skinned fellow at the drinks table. "He's a houseguest, currently..." He is more than that, and Aloysius is grateful to him, which is why he thinks to ask her to extend the invitation.
"Of course. Anyone you trust. Except possibly her parents." She frowns a little, then shakes it off and stands. "I'll talk to him. Thorn's probably freaking out, though. Better go check on him."
She looks at him a moment with deep, impossibly sad dark eyes, then smiles gently and strokes his hair reverently, just once. "Take care."
Aloysius has little intention of inviting her parents across the Nexus to meet another version of their daughter. The resulting emotional shock would simply be a mess he does not care to have on his hands. They might ask questions.
The touch is wholly unexpected, but he meets her eyes with an expression that carries hints of the same. He does not pity her, but he can see her bitterness and it pains him that he was not somehow there when she needed him. "...You, as well. Take care of yourself, and thank you."
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"I'll... certainly do my best, yes." He wishes he could promise more, and he feels guilty even phrasing it that way. "You should invite Mr. Arkenstone, as well." He nods in the direction of the grey-suited, golden-skinned fellow at the drinks table. "He's a houseguest, currently..." He is more than that, and Aloysius is grateful to him, which is why he thinks to ask her to extend the invitation.
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She looks at him a moment with deep, impossibly sad dark eyes, then smiles gently and strokes his hair reverently, just once. "Take care."
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The touch is wholly unexpected, but he meets her eyes with an expression that carries hints of the same. He does not pity her, but he can see her bitterness and it pains him that he was not somehow there when she needed him. "...You, as well. Take care of yourself, and thank you."
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She turns and makes her way back to Thorn.
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